CENTENNIAL 
SOUVENIR. 


^ — ^^ — ^ 


HITHERTO    HATH    THE    LORD    HELPED    US. 


l799    — AUGU5IT  II^H—    1599. 


..•.JBI^OReO,  N.  Y 


3.'/.  33 


1^  PRINCETON,  N.  J.  ^ 


Division. 


LXIIETO 


AVrt/o«..<....t  O   '      O 

A3 


A 

CENTURY 

OF  CHURCH  LIFE, 


First  Congregational  Church, 

....ELDRED.  N.  Y.... 


1799.    HuGUStlltb,    1809, 


"Not  unto  us,  O  Lord,  not  unto  us, 
But  unto  Thy  Name  give  Glory.  " 


PRESS   OF    THE 

rRI-STATES    PUBLISHING    CO. 

PORT    JERVIS,   N,  Y. 


PRESENT  OFFICERS  OF  THE  CHURCH. 


Key.  Joel  F.  Whitney,  Pastor. 
Herbert  W.   Kyte  Clerk. 

Charles,  W.  Wilson,  Treasurer. 

Deacon  Isaac  Sergeant,  Supt.  of  Sunday  School. 

DEACONS. 

Edward  B.  Wilson,  Isaac   Sergeant, 

William  H.  Austin. 

TRUSTEES. 

Charles  W.   Wilson,  Chairmaii, 

Deacon  Isaac  Sergeant,  Clerk. 
Eev.  a.  E  Austin,  -        Deacon  E.  B.  Wilson, 

Samuel  D.  Hoatson,  -        Deacon  W.  H.  Austin. 


List  of  Ministers  of  the   Church. 

Rev.  Isaac  Sergeaut              -             -             -  1799—1805 

Rev.  Stephen  Sergeant              -             -             -  1818—1826 

Rev.  Felix  Kyte       .             .             -             -  1832—1878 

Rev  J.  T.  Marsh          ....  1879—1880 

Rev.  E.  W.  Fisher  -             -             -             -  1880—1883 

Rev.  J.  E.  Ferine          .             »             .             .  1883—1884 

Rev.  H.  P.  Hamilton             -             -             -  1885—1888 

Mr.  J.  R.  Taylor           ....  1888-1888 

Rev.  W.  C.  Wilcox               -            -            -  1888—1889 

Rev.  E.  A.  Smith           ....  1889—1892 

Mr.  W.  J.  Stewart                -             -             -  1892-1892 

Rev.  Henry  Smith        .             .             -             .  1892—1894 

Rev.  Geo.  M.  Rees               -             -             -  1894—1895 

Rev.  Joel  F.  Whitney               -             -             -  1896— 


List  of  Deacons  of  the  Church. 


Term  Began 

Term  Ended 

1799 

Ichabod  Garmicbael 

:1;1829 

1819 

James  Elclred 

■     :1:1857 

1819 

Alexander  Carmichael 

tl860 

1830 

Daniel  Wells 

1848 

1848 

Samuel  "West 

tl890 

1849 

Alfred  Hartwell 

1860 

1849 

Sears  E.  Gardner     - 

1860 

1849 

Charles  C.  P.  Eldred     - 

-      11890 

1857 

James  K.  Gardner  - 

:t:1860 

1860 

William  M.  Mapes 

-       1869 

1860 

Ethel  B.  Sergeant  - 

11884 

1860 

Robert  M.  Mapes 

1869 

1860 

Edwin  Hartwell 

1879 

1869 

Edward  B.  Wilson       - 

_ 

1871 

Daniel  Picken 

tl884 

1880 

James  Gillespie 

1885 

1884 

James  Macintosh    - 

1890 

1884 

Alvah  Sergeant 

-       tl897 

1890 

William  H.  Kyte     - 

^1896 

1890 

William  Ruddick 

1894 

1890 

Isaac  Sergeant 

- 

1897 

William  H.  Austin     - 

- 

HISTORICAL  SKETCH. 

"  The  First  Presbyterian-Congregational  Church  of  Nar- 
row Falls,  "  was  organized  August  11,  1799.  The  record  is 
made  as  follows  : 

"  Before  the  constitution  the  candidates  for  church-mem- 
bership had  four  conference-meetings  and  passed  repeated 
examinations  to  the  satisfaction  of  one  another  ;  and  also 
the  articles  of  faith,  and  of  church-government  with  the 
covenant  were  read  and  agreed  to.  The  conference-meet- 
ings were  held,  the  first  on  June  first,  the  second  on  June 
second,  the  third  on  August  seventh,  the  fourth  on  August 
tenth.  Mr.  Sergeant,*  minister,  who  had  heretofore  often 
visited  us,  was  now  |)resent,  who  also  was,  bj  the  members 
unanimously  voted  to  act  as  moderator  and  clerk  in  all  our 
meetings  through  the  time  of  constituting.  Every  meeting 
was  opened  and  concluded  with  prayer. 

"  Sabbath  August  11,  1799,  the  church  constituted  and 
publicly  consented  to  the  articles  as  they  were  read  to  them, 
article  by  article,  and  solemnly  entered  into  covenant  with 
God  and  one  another.  After  constitution,  the  church  voted 
Ichabod  Carmichael  their  deacon  and  he  received  his  charge 
by  Mr.  Sergeant." 

This  was  according  to  Quinlan  the  first  religious  society 
in  the  county  of  which  we  have  any  account. 

The  fourteen  members  of  this  church    came    together   for 


*  Mr.  Sergeant  referred  to  above  was  Rev.  Isaac  Sergeant,  of  Ridgebury,  N.  Y.  He 
organized  what  is  now  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Ridgebury  in  1792  and  was  pastor 
until  1798.  He  came  to  Sullivan  County  and  preached  at  various  points  on  the  Dela- 
ware, during  the  years  of  1797  and  following.  He  also  organized  a  churcli 
with  eleven  members  at  Coshethton  (  Cochecton  )  in  1800.  Seven  of  these  appear  to 
have  become  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  when  organized  in  18r3.  His 
name  appears  on  our  record  in  1823.  when  he  preached  twice  He  was  buried  at 
Ridgeburry,  N.  Y.  In  1892  on  the  occasion  of  the  centennial  of  that  church  a  Monu- 
ment was  secured  to  mark  his  resting  place  and  commemorate  their  Centennial. 


6 


their  first  commuuiou,  Sept.  8.  This  was  at  the  house  of 
Jeremiah  Barnes.  Eleven  children  were  baptised  at  that 
service. 

For  several  years  Rev.  Isaac  Sergeant  continued  to  visit 
the  people  of  these  regions  and  hold  services  at  different 
points,  administering  the  Sacraments  and  encouraging  them 
to  maintain  their  meetings.  In  1803,  a  large  meeting  was 
held  at  Grassy  Swamp.     We  quote  from  the  records. 

"Previous  to  this  last  Communion  as  above  it  was  agreed 
upon  by  the  churches  of  Narrow  Falls  and  Coshethton  to 
hold  a  great  meeting  at  the  time  of  the  Communion,  and  to 
invite  a  number  of  ministers  to  attend. — The  meeting  to  be 
held  at  Grassy  Swamp,  and  to  begin  on  Saturday,  Sept,  10. 
Accordingly  proclamation  was  given  out  very  widely.  On 
Saturday,  Mr.  Sergeant  from  Ridgebury,  Mr.  Jones  from 
Chei-ter,  and  Mr.  Crane,  from  Blooming  Grove  came  and  a 
considerable  number  of  people  met.  In  the  afternoon  Mr. 
Crane  preached  and  Mr.  Jones  exhorted. 

"  Sabbath  morning  people  began  to  flock  together  from 
all  quarters  and  continued  so  to  do  most  of  the  forenoon, 
till  by  far  the  greatest  number  of  precious  souls  were  con- 
vened that  ever  was  known  in  these  parts  upon  any  occa- 
sion whatever,  supposed  to  be  at  least  four  hundred — a  great 
number  for  these  scattered  settlements  and  the  roughness 
of  the  roads. 

"  Mr.  Jones  preached  the  first  sermon.  After  the  sermon 
Mr.  Sergeant  prayed,  then  a  hymn  was  sung,  after  this  Mr. 
Crane  preached  a  second  sermon  and  made  the  last  prayer. 
We  then  had  an  intermission  of  one  hour.  The  assembly 
collected  again  in  the  afternoon.  Mr.  Sergeant  presided  at 
the  communion  table.  The  communicants  consisted  of 
nearly  all  of  the  members  of  the  two  churches  of  Narrow- 
Falls  and  Coshethton.  Full  proclamation  was  made  for  all 
members  of  other  churches  of  every  denomination  who  held 
the  essential  sound  doct  ines  of  the    Gospel,    to    come   and 


commune  with  us  freely.  (Four  candidates  were  then  ad- 
mitted and  received  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  The 
Sacrament  was  administered  by  Messrs.  Sergeant  and 
Jones).  "  After  the  communion  the  ministers,  each  gave 
an  exhortion  to  the  church  and  spectators.  After  the  hymn 
Mr.  Jones  immediately  rose  and  preached  the  third  sermon, 
made  the  last  prayer  and  dismissed  the  assembly  with  the 
blessing.  God  blessed  us  with  two  fair,  sunshiny,  pleasant 
days  ;  and  we  had  a  precious  comfortable  time. — a  blessed 
meeting." 

From  this  time  on  the  records  and  traditions  tell  us  of 
meetings  here  and  there,  now  in  some  house,  now  in  a  barn, 
then  in  a  sawmill,  moving  from  place  to  place  with  the  pop- 
ulation. The  central  place  of  meeting  previous  to  1818  had 
come  to  be  what  was  called  the  Denton  Farm.  Rev. 
Stephen  Sergeant  was  invited  to  become  the  pastor  of  the 
church  Nov.  13,  1818.  His  labors  were  greatly  blessed  and 
during  his  ministry,  which  lasted  till  1828,  one  hundred  and 
fifty  were  added  to  the  church.  Soon  after  his  coming  the 
more  central  place  of  meeting  was  at  the  house  of  James 
Kldred,  at  Half    Way    Brook. 

Many  of  the  present  generations  have  heard  of  those  prec- 
ious seasons  of  revival  which  followed.  During  the  first  year, 
Oct.  21,  1818  to  Oct  12,  1819,  there  were  forty-eight 
who  joined  the  church.  The  year  1824  witnessed  a  still 
larger  ingathering,  the  number  being  eighty-nine.  By  re- 
ferring to  the  list  of  members  you  will  find  many  whose 
names  have  been  well  known  in  connection  with  the  history  of 
our  church  and  community.  Of  those  who  joined  at  that 
time,  only  one  is  living  and  still  with  us  as  a  member,  Mrs. 
Eliza  Gardner,  Avho  confessed  <  hrist  June  15,  1823.  She 
delights  to  recount  the  events  of  those  days  and  tell  of  the 
meeting^  held  at  her  father's.  No  wonder  that  the  cause 
of  Christ  prospered  when  all   the   meetings    were   attractive 


8 


and  young  and  old  came  together  at  the  appoiuted'time  and 
place,  as  did  those  who  gathered  at  Deacon  James  Eldred's. 
These  men  were  not  discouraged  when  left  without  a 
pastor,  but  continued  to  seek  the  welfare  of  the  church 
until  one  came  to  them  whose  life  is  connected  with  nearly 
one  half  a  century  of  the  church's  history. 

Felix  Kyte  was  born  in  Kent  County,  England,  Jan.  20, 
1800—  only  a  few  months  after  the  birth  of  the  church  to 
which  he  was  to  minister.  In  1875,  at  the  request  of  friends, 
he  published  a  "  Narrative  or  Review  of  43  years  of  Pas- 
toral Labor."  We  will  quote  and  condense  from  this  Nar- 
rative to  give  glimpses  of  the  history  of  those  years.  He 
was  first  called  to  visit  this  region  by  a  letter  from  Dea. 
James  Eldred,  in  the  summer  of  1832.  He  came  "  by  the 
way  of  Newburgh  ;  thence  to  Monticello,  and  from  thence 
by  a  private  hired  conveyance,  and  was  set  down  at  the 
door  of  Brother  Eldred's  residence.  This  way,  through 
Newburgh  and  Monticello,  was  at  that  time  the  only  way 
of  reaching  Lumberland  by  public  conveyance  from  New 
York,  except  that  by  steamboat  up  the  North  River  to  Ron- 
dout,  and  thence  by  slow  travel  of  the  canal  to  Barryville, 
taking  nearly  a  week  to  reach  there  by  that  route  from  New- 
York." 

He  spent  four  Sabbaths  among  the  people  resulting  in  a 
call  to  become  their  pastor.  He  was  ordained  by  the  New 
York  Congregational  Association,  Sept.  30,  1832,  moved 
with  his  family  to  Lumberland  and  preached  his  first  ser- 
mon as  their  pastor  Oct.  20.  We  quote  again  :  "  By  the 
arrangement  of  the  church  on  the  start,  I  taught  the  dis- 
trict school  at  Halfway  Brook,  and  spent  half  my  time  in 
preaching  at  Ten-Mile-River,  walking  every  other  Sabbath 
these  10  miles  and  back  again,  making  20  miles  and  preach- 
ing three  times,  i.  e.,  in  the  morning  at  Ten-Mile-River,  iu 
the  afternoon  at  Beavsr  Bcook,  and  in  the  evening  at  Half- 
way Brook,  my  home.      But  having  frequent  calls,  on    occa- 


REV.  FELIX  KYTE. 


10 


sions  of  death,  and  there  being  no  resident  minister  in  this 
region  at  the  time  besides  myself,  I  was  soon  compelled  to 
relinquish  the  school  on  account  of  the  inte-ruption  these 
calls  gave  to  the  duties  of  the  school.  At  this  time  I  had 
to  meet  all  my  appointments,  in  every  direction,  on  foot. 
But  after  awhile  a  good  brother,  who  was  then  a  resident 
at  Hagan  Pond,  but  now  dead,  tendered  me  a  horse  that 
had  become  unfit,  through  age,  for  his  business  of  lumber- 
ing (for  lumbering  at  that  time  was  the  sole  business  of  the 
country,  there  beiug  scarcely  a  farm,  worthy  of  the  name, 
anywhere  around.)  The  donor  of  this  horse  remarked  that 
he  would  "  take  it  out  in  preaching."  Another  friend  sup- 
plemented this  gift  by  presenting  a  "  half-worn-out  wagon 
of  ancient  style." 

The  Narrative  gives  us  a  glimpse  of  the  fashions  of  that 
early  day  by  telling  that  many  of  the  good  sisters,  when 
they  went  to  meeting,  wore  do  hats  at  all,  but  "  a  clean  and 
decent  handkerchief  thrown  loosely  over  their  heads." 

The  first  two  members  admitted  to  the  church  under  Mr. 
Kyte's  ministry  were  Mr.  John  Owen  and  Miss  Augeline 
Dickenson.  His  first  wedding  was  Jan.  11,  1833.  The 
parties  were  Mr.  Jesse  Doolittle  and  Miss  Hulda  Doring, 
the  ceremony  taking  place  in  a  log  house  belonging  to 
Sears  G.  Tuttle,  Esq.  Of  other  weddings  Mr.  Kyte  gives 
this  summary  : — "  There  are  nine  persons  that  I  believe  to 
be  living,  that  I  have  married  twice,  and  one  that  is  now 
dead.  There  are  several  parents  married  by  me  of  whom  I 
have  married  of  the  children  ;  of  one  couple,  four  of  their 
children  ;  of  two  couples,  three  of  their  children  ;  of  an- 
other couple,  two  and  of  six  other  couples,  one  each.  I 
scarcley  know  how  I  can  best  leave  the  impression  on  your 
minds  as  to  the  whole  number  that  I  have  united  in  matri- 
monial bonds,  though    I   have    the  figures  correct.      Were 

\ 


11 


tliey  all  together  tliej  would  make  quite  a  congregation. 
The  precise  number  up  to  this  date  is  253  couples." 

The  record  of  these  weddings  is  preserved  and  should  any 
one  v/ish  a  copy  of  any  of  them,  it  can  be  secured  by  writ- 
ting  to  Felix  S.  Kyte,  26  Barclay  street,  N.  Y. 

The  number  of  funerals  attended  he  estimates  at  353,  the 
first  being  that  of  a  child  at  Ten-Mile-River.  He  says  :— 
"  From  that  time  to  the  last  call,  but  a  short  time  ago,  it  has 
been  the  providence  of  God  towards  me,  that  I  should  fol- 
low many  to  the  grave,  whither  some,  not  long  hence,  may 
be  called  to  follow  me.  As  to  the  scenes  accompanying 
a  dying  hour  that  I  have  witnessed,  some  have  been  very 
affecting  and  trying  in  the  extreme,  while  others  have  been 
calm  and  peaceful,  leaving  behind  a  joyful  hope  of  a  future 
eternal  rest.  We  have  followed  all  ages  to  the  grave.  The 
infant  of  a  few  days,  or  no  days  at  all  ;  the  blooming  youth 
those  just  entering  upon  manhood  or  womanhood  ;  those 
who  have  fallen  by  casualties  of  various  kinds,  by  fire,  by 
water,  by  explosion  of  steam,  two  by  lightning.  One  who 
was  drowned  was  taken  to  the  grave  on  the  very  day  that 
was  set  for  his  marriage.  Many  of  these  you  have  known 
when  living.  They  have  been  of  your  own  liesli  and  blood, 
your  fathers,  your  mothers,  your  husbands,  your  wives,  your 
children,  your  brothers,  your  sisters,  those  who  have  been 
in  covenant  bonds  with  you  as  disciples  of  Christ.  Of 
many  we  have  known  the  history  and  have  viewed  them  as 
sheaves  gathered  for  the  granary  of  the  Lord  ;  whose  lives 
have  not  only  been  humbje  patterns  of  piety,  but  have  been 
useful  to  others,  by  bringing  them  also  to  Christ.  On 
speaking  of  these  things  ihe  tht)Ught  comes  up  to  the  mind 
with  solemn  reflection- what  a  throng  would  be  before  us, 
could  we  see  all  those  we  have  followed  to  the  grave  rise  up 
before  us.  And  then  the  thought,  bow  duty  has  been  dis- 
charged toward  them  where  there  has  been  opportunity. 
Our  privileges  for  Christian  communion,  not   only  in  public 


12 


Avorship,  but  at  the  Lord's  table  have  been  many.  The  first 
ordinance  of  the  Lord's  supper  held  by  this  church  as  ad- 
ministered by  me  was  Nov.  1832,  and  the  number  of  times, 
up  to  this  date,  including  occasional  observances  at  Barrv- 
ville  and  South  Lebanon,  have  been  378,  which  Avould  be 
more  than  a  whole  year  of  observances,  counting  one  for 
every  day.  We  speak  of  this  as  a  remembrance  of  privi- 
leges that  we  have  enjoyed,  and  if  it  bring  to  any  of  us  a 
remembrance  of  lost  opportunities,  wlIcIi  we  might  and 
ought  to  have  appreciated  at  the  time,  let  the  thought  stimu- 
late us  to  let  no  further  privileges  go  unimproved.  AVe  have 
preached  in  log  houses,  lighted  solely  by  the  blaze  of  pine 
logs,  heaped  one  on  another,  until  the  large  fire  place  was 
completely  filled  with  blazing  material,  sending  its  ravs  all 
over  the  room  and  causing  those  in  attendance  to  defend 
their  faces  from  the  heat  by  their  handkerchiefs  and  hands. 
And  in  one  instance  1  commenced  the  meeting  in  darkness, 
where  there  was  no  light  at  hand,  but  ere  we  got  through  a 
single  candle  was  brought  AVhat  a,  contrast !  Now  we 
have  our  places  for  gathering  splendidly  illuminated  by 
lamps  supplied  with  inflammable  oils. 

"  In  times  past  we  sometimes  preached  in  barns,  and  meet 
ings  were  held  in  saw  mills,  and  seats  of  the  rudest  benches 
that  could  be  made,  or  perhaps  nothing  but  slabs  laid  upon 
each  other.  Yet,  even  in  such  cases  the  word  of  God  was  lis- 
tened to  with  relish  and  delight.  But  now  we  have  comfort- 
able, and  often  ornamental  seats — whether  we  hear  with  the 
same  relish  as  formerly  I  will  not  undertake  to  say.  As  to 
the  amount  of  travel  affected,  to  supply  a  preached  word 
through  these  three  adjoining  towns,  which  formerly  were  em- 
braced in  one,  and  which,  as  most  of  you  know,  has  been  done 
mainly  in  the  saddle,  does  by  a  fair  estimation  amount  to  30,000 
miles  or  more,  enough  to  ride  once  and  a  quarter  around  the 
world." 

At  one  time,   by  special   request  of   the   people,  meetings 


13 


were  held  in  Woodtown,  Pa,,  between  Shohola  and  Milford. 
The  congregation  met  in  a  private  house,  being  called  to- 
gether by  a  common  dinner  horn. 

The  church  at  Barryville  has  shared  in  the  labors  of  the 
beloved  pastor  He  speaks  with  kindly  feelings  of  the  favors 
received  from  time  to  time  during  this  long  pastorate.  We 
would  be  glad  to  quote  all  his  words,  but  have  not  space.  He 
continued  his  labors  until  his  failing  health  compelled  him  to 
give  up  many  of  his  appointments.  In  1878  he  resigned,  bu- 
the  church  did  not  accept  his  resignation,  but  voted  to  re 
lieve  him  from  being  acting  pastor,  and  tendered  to  him  the 
office  of  Senior  Pastor  during  his  natural  life.  This  action 
was  taken  July  3,  1878.  On  the  29th  day  of  September  fol- 
lowing, after  going  with  his  son.  Rev.  Joseph  Kyte,  to  Barry- 
ville in  the  mornmg  he  attended  the  evening  services  here 
at  Eldred.  He  took  part  in  the  services,  his  son  preaching. 
He  was  found  after  the  services  near  the  church  door  where 
God  had  spoken  to  him." 

'•  He  found  the  threshold  of  the  Church  he  served 
The  Portal  of  the  New  Jerusalem  !  " 

We  may  fittingly  close  this  sketch  with  his  closing  words 
in  the  Narrative  :  "  May  God  hear  my  prayers  for  your  wel- 
fare, and  the  success  and  well  being  of  the  churches  and  cause 
of  God  among  you." 

During  the  46  years  of  his  ministry  244  persons  were  re- 
ceived to  this  church,  and  70  at  Barryville,  where  a  church 
was  organized  in  1836. 

Our  church  edifice  was  erected  in  1835.  The  frame  was 
raised  July  3  and  the  church  dedicated,  Nov.  12,  1835.  The 
Church  was  incorporated  in  1836,  taking  the  name,  "  The 
First  Congregational  Church  of  Lumberland."  Daniel  Wells, 
Henry  L.  West,  Richard  C.  West,  Sears  Gardner,  Charles 
C.  P.  Eldred,  Samuel  C.  Maney  and  James  Eldred  were  the 
first   Trustees.      In  1878  the  name  was  changed  to  Eldred. 

After  the  death  of  Rev.  F.  Kyte,  a  parsonage  was  pur- 
chased in  1880,  and  anew  house  was  erected  in  1888.  The 
Ladies'  Auxiliary  has  secured  a  large  part  of  the  funds  which 


14 


have  enabled  the  society  to  secure  this  desirable  site  and  erect 
so  good  buildings. 

Though  the  later  pastorates  have  been  brief  they  have  not 
been  unfruitful  ;  in  have  been  received  into  fellowship  since 
1879,  making  a  total  of  530.  In  1894,  the  Church  at  Glen 
Spey  was  organized,  taking  20  members  from  us.  We  have 
also  suffered  great  losses  by  the  death  of  those  who  have  been 
leaders  in  Church  and  society  work.  Our  present  member- 
ship as  reported  in  the  last  Year  Book,  is  60,  13  of  whom  are 
absent. 

It  thus  appears  that  our  Church  has  a  past.  We  also  have 
an  opportunity  and  what  the  close  of  another  century  shall 
record  may  depend  largely  on  the  work  we  shall  do  in  the  be- 
ginning of  that  century. 


MINISTERS, 

Eev.  Stephen  Sergeant  was  living    in    Michigan    in   1861, 
but  has  since  died. 
Revs.  J.  T.  Marsh,  J.  E.  Ferine  audE.  A.  Smith  are  dead. 
The  present  addresses  of  the  others  are  : 

Rev.  H.  P.  Hamilton,  Branchport,  N.  Y. 

Rev.  J.  R.  Taylor,  Earleville,  111. 

Rev.  W.  C,  Wilcox,  Umvote.  Natal,  South  Africa. 

Rev.  W.  J.  Stewart,  De  Peve,  Wis. 

Rev.  Henry  Smith,  Cobbleskill,  N.  Y, 

Rev.  Geo.  M.  Rees,  Clayton,  N.  Y. 


15 


DEACONS. 

We  should  be  glad  to  give  a  fuller  account  than  is  possible 
of  the  Deacons  of  the  Church.  The  list  gives  names  and 
dates,  so  far  as  has  been  possible. 

Ichabod  Carmichael  was  the  first  Deacon,  and  maintained 
his  interest  in  the  church  till  the  close  of  his  life,  1829.  His 
son,  Alexander  Carmichael,  with  James  Eldred,  were  elected 
at  the  time  of  the  removal  of  the  church  to  Halfway  Brook, 
now  Eldred,  in  1819,  and  after  the  death  of  Deacon  Ichabad 
Carmichael,  Daniel  Wells  was  elected  to  this  office.  He  re- 
moved from  the  place  about  1848  and  Samuel  West  was  then 
elected.  It  was  voted  to  increase  the  number  of  Deacons  to 
six,  in  1849,  and  those  whose  names  appear  at  that  date  were 
elected  to  office  at  that  time.  It  was  also  voted  that  these 
officers  be  elected  for  a  term  of  six  years  instead  of  the  in- 
definite period  as  formerly. 

Hon.  James  Eldred  and  his  son  held  this  office  for  eighty- 
one  continuous  years.  During  eight  of  which  they  both  held 
the  office.  Their  names  were  often  referred  to  during  the 
centennial  services  and  the  village  appropriately  bears  the 
name  of  these  mem.  The  former  was  member  of  Assembly 
in  1835  ^iid  the  latter  was  postmaster  forty  years. 

These  men  have  given  of  their  time  and  means  to  the 
church.  The  records  show  their  attendance  at  the  monthly 
church  meeting,  and  their  recorded  service  as  members  of 
committees  and  helpers  in  the  work  entitles  them  to  remem- 
brance as  builders  of  the  Church  of  God.  Others  who  were 
not  elected  to  these  offices  were  equally  zealous  and  bore 
their  share  of  the  burdens.  You  will  hear  their  names  men- 
tioned with  respect.  If  we  could  have  the  history  of  each  and 
all  it  would  be  interesting.  May  their  names  enshrined  in 
loving  remembrance  be  cherished.  May  the  unrolling  of  the 
records  of  Heaven  reveal  -their  names  and  work  that  they 
have  wrought  with  God,  and  may  He  in  whose  keeping  are 
all  our  ways  answer  their  prayers,  giving  us  the  blessings  they 
sought  for  our  Churches. 


16 


NAMES  OF  MEMBERS. 

Those   who   constituted  the   church    August   ii,    1799,  were 
as  follows  : 


John  Barnes. 
Ichabod  Carmichael. 
Asa  Crane. 
Thomas  Barnes. 
Henry  Barnes. 
Jeremiah  Barnes. 
Nathan  Barnes. 

I801. 

James  Reeves. 
Stephen  Carmichael. 
Elizabeth  Reeves. 
Alexander  Carmichael. 

1803, 

James  Carpenter. 
Lucy  Carpenter. 
Anthony  Gifford. 
John  Carm  chael. 
Joseph  Drake. 
Elizabeth  Drake. 
Anna  Bishop. 

1818, 
Reuben  Hickok. 
Aaron  Williams. 
Samuel  Sealey. 
Henry  Montgomery. 
Justus  Hickok. 
Dorcas  Carpenter. 
Mary  Wells,  [Hickok.] 
Catharine  Vancuren. 
James  Vancuren. 
Daniel  Wells. 
Elizabeth  Carmichael. 
Margarett  Montgomery. 
Tabitha  Wright. 
Polly  V.  Eldred. 
Betsey  Hickok. 
James  Eldred. 
Joseph  Carpenter, 


4—18 


7—25 


Elizabeth  Barnes. 
Mercy  Mason. 
Phebe  Carmichael. 
Abigail  Crane. 
Rebekah  Barnes. 
Elizabeth  Barnes. 
Elizabeth  Gray.     14 


Esther  Hickok. 

Elizabeth  Barnes. 

Susan  Barnes. 

Ruth  Gambleton. 

Louisa  Hickok. 

Keturah  Skinner, 

Eleanor  Wiggins. 

Charles  Gambleton. 

Elizabeth  Montgomery. 

Eleanor  E.  Carpenter. 

David  Hickok. 

Mary  Watkins. 

Amelia  Eldred.  (Wheeler.) 

Asa  Hickok. 

Hannah  Hickok,  [Eldred.] 

Anna  Wells.  33—58 

1810. 

Elnathan  Corey. 

Francis  Quick. 

Harvey  Wheeler. 

Alexander  Carmichael. 

Sally  Eldred.  (Carmichael) 

Rachel  Quick. 

Sally  Watkins. 

Anna  Carpenter. 

Anna  Sergeant. 

Sarah  Mendus. 

Lydia  Maney. 

Mary  Ann  Strong. 

Samuel  Reeves  Watkins, 

John  Corwin. 

Henry  Cadmas.  15 — 73 


17 


3—76 


1—77 


Mary  Quick. 
Thomas  Reeves, 
Comfort  Reeves. 

1833. 
Mary  Gardner. 

183:5. 

Mary  Wells. 

Eliza  Eldred,  [Gardner.] 

Juliann  Hartwell. 

Sarah  Hartwell. 

Harriet  Eldred.  5—82 

1834. 

Betsey  Corey. 

Easter  Read. 

F.  Allen  Carmichael. 

Thomas  Clark. 

Stephen  B.  Sergeant. 

Alexander  Corner. 

Haly  Barnes. 

Jacob  Stage. 

Ethel  B.  Sergeant. 

Daniel  Case. 

Wilmot  Clark. 

John  H.  Elliot. 

Hiram  Riker. 

Sears  Gardner. 

Charles  C.  P.  Eldred. 

Robert  Montgomery. 

Hiram  Montgomery. 

David  Sergeant. 

John  Gray. 

Ivy  Mills. 

Samuel  H.  Lake. 

John  Brown. 

Jeremiah  Barnes,  Jr. 

Asa  R.  Hickok. 

Richard  Riley. 

Abraham  Ingersol. 

Martha  Carmichael,  (Stage.) 

Carmentha  Allen. 

Letty  Gardner,  [Sergeant.] 

Charity  Van  Tuyl,  (Brown.) 


Eleanor  Barnes. 
Mary  Clark. 
Hannah  A.  Barnes. 
Seneth  Case. 
Martha  Land. 
Michael  S.  Stillwell. 
John  Wells. 
Samuel  C.  Tuthill. 
Alfred  Hartwell. 
Edwin  Hartwell. 
George  T.  Bishop. 
I  la  E.  Watkins. 
Morgan  L.  Sprout. 
Clarry  Dickerson, 
Eliza  Watkins. 
James  Maney. 
Samuel  Maney. 
Marston  Birdsley. 
Hiram  Hanlon. 
William  Martin. 
John  Corey. 
Thomas  Clark. 
Bethana  Bishop. 
Syntha  Vanaukin. 
Abigail  Corey. 
Jane  Purvess. 
William  Wells. 
Abbot  Royce. 
Mangle  Whelpley. 
Eli  Knapp. 
Moses  Clark. 
James  K.  Gardner. 
Marcus  Stickney. 
Robert  Gardner. 
Fanny  Terry. 
Eliza  Terry. 
Adaline  Stickney. 
Mary  Clark. 
Martha  Clark. 
Eliza  Hartwell. 
Elizabeth  Maney. 
Amelia  Skinner. 
Elizabeth  Wells. 
Sears  G.  Tuthill. 


18 


Thomas  Clark. 
Daniel  Christie 
William  R.  Stokam, 
Samuel  M.  Jackson. 
Gabriel  D.  Hoyt. 
Calvin  Hoyt. 

Hosier. 

Steadman, 

Rhoda  Clark. 

Abigail  Hoyt. 

Margaret  Daley. 

Catharine  Keen. 

Phebe  Clark  [Myers,] 

Thos.  Wheeler. 

Eunice  Vanauken.  89 — 171 


Philander  Hartwell. 

Drusilla  Finch  Tuthill. 

Polly  Gardner,  (Austin). 

John  Carpenter.  4 — 175 

1832. 

John  Owen. 
Augustine  Dickenson, 
Effie  Van  Tuyl,  [Eldred.] 
Sarah  Jane  Van  Tuyle,   (Fuller.) 
Elizabeth  Barber(Newton)  5—180 

1«33. 

Daniel  C.  Skinner. 

Salome  Skinner. 

Lucius  Chamberlin. 

Asa  Middaugh.  4 — 184 

1834. 

Peter  Dickerson. 

Polly  Corey. 

Samuel  West. 

[Sister]  Owen. 

Mary  Ann  Cregier  [Gardiner] 

John  Dickerson. 

Augustus  Alonzo  Austin. 

Tjerck  Ingram. 

Peter  Woolly. 


Elizabeth  CarmichaeL 

Eliza  Owen. 

Eleanor  Fisher. 

Dolly  S.  Williams. 

Mary  West. 

Thomas  Williams. 

Elijah  King. 

Julia  Skinner.  17—201 

1835. 

Phebe  Jane  Covert,  [Maney] 

Sarah  Alwood.  2 — 203 

1837. 

Timothy  W  est. 

Mary  West.  2—205 

1838. 

Mary  Owen. 

Benj.  W.  Dennis. 

Henry  West. 

David  Young. 

Rachel  Smith, 

Phebe  West. 

Sally  Hickok, 

Esther  Rogers,  [Webb,] 

Hannah  Wells,  (Brittan.) 

Maria  Wells. 

Margaret  Howel, 

Amanda  Osborn,   [Bunce.] 

Susan  Pool  [Detricht,] 

Betsy  Stickney. 

Felix  Kyte. 

Eliza  Kyte.  16—221 

1839. 

Daniel  Cornwall. 

Jackson  Quick. 

Harriet  H.  Carmichael,  [Youngs.] 

Elizabeth  Cornwall. 

Huldah  Doolittle.  5—226 

1840. 

Mary  Myers. 
Helen  A.  Calsbreath. 
Hannah  Madison. 
Thomas  Bruce. 
James  Austin. 


19 


James  E.  Wells, 

Moses  Myers. 

Mehitabel  Wells. 

•Susan  Austin. (Freeman.) 

Sarah  Stickney. 

William  M.  Mapes. 

Mary  Mapes. 

Julia  Bunce,  [Cox.] 

Garrett  Hazen  14—240 

1841. 
Robert  M.  Mapes. 
Elizabeth  Mapes. 
Jessie  G.  Maney. 
Mary  A.  Eldred,  [Austin] .  4—244 

isis. 
James  Maney. 
Elizabeth  Campbell,  [Hulse]. 
Mary  Starks. 
Alexander  Boyd. 
Bridget  Tibbits. 
Jacob  D.  Youngs. 
Catharine  Dodge. 
Eliza  Wheeler,  [Owen].     8—252 

1843. 

Amanda  E.  Young, (King.) 
Absalom  Young. 
Isaac  Tibbetts. 
Mary  Barnes. 

Susan  Barnes,   (Darling.)    5 — 257 
1841. 

Mary  Ann  Tibbetts. 

Gabriel  Mapes. 

Keziah  Mapes. 

Polly  Mapes. 

Eliza  Amanda  Bates. 

Elizabeth  Eldred. 

Julia  Bunce.  7 — 264 

i84(;. 
Nancy  Young  1 — 265 

1S47 

Oscar  T.  West 

Harriet  Wells 

Phebe  Mapes  3—258 


1848. 

Jacob  Watkins  1—269 

1849. 
Nathaniel  R.  Higby 
Orphy  Jane  Higby 
Martha  Atkins 
Eliza  Corey 
Daniel  Ennis 
Susannah  Ennis  6 — 275 

1850. 

Sarah  A.  Austin 

Isaac  Purdy 

Julia  Ann  Carmichael 

Edward  B.  Wilson 

George  W.  Eldred  5—280 

1851. 
Hannah  Conkling 
George  Wright 
Elizabeth  Wright 
Andrew  Ferguson  4 — 284 

1852. 

Catharine  Maney,  [Van  Tuyl] 

Andrew  Morrison 

Phebe  Tuthill 

Sarah  Tuthill 

Samuel  Wheat 

Prudence  Wheat  6^-290 

1853. 

Alexander  R.  Martin 

Polly  V.  Eldred,  (Mapes) 

Joseph  Kyte 

Elizabeth  Taylor 

Margaret  Mills 

Thomas  Martin 

Lydia  J.  Carpenter  7—297 

18.-.  4 

Sarah  Ingersol 

Helen  Martin 

Mary  E.  Sergeant 

Joseph  Ferguson 

Mary  A.  Ferguson 

Mary    Pierson  6—303 


20 


David  Hickok 
Phebe  Wilson 

1856. 

Phebe  Sergeant 
Alvah  Sergeant 
Caroline  Sergeant 
Mary  Hickok,  [Stidd] 
Wm.  H.  Kyte 
Anne  Ferguson 


29—343 


2—305 


6—311 


Eliza  J.  Gardner 
Susannah  Ingersol,  (Knight) 
Catharine  Van  Pelt  3—314 

1858. 

Rebecca  C.  Eldred 
Felix  J.  S.  Kyte 
Elizabeth  Wilcox 
John  Fetter 
John  Dwan 
Bishop  Hartwell 
Edwin  Hartwell 
Charles  H.  Aiken 
George  B.  Aiken 
Louisa  Hartwell 
Matilda  Aiken 
Abbe  Fetter 
Jennette  Wheat 
Jane  Gordon 
Aurelia  Hartwell 
Harriet  Ferguson 
Julia  Baker 
Mary  Edwards 
Esther  Hartwell 
Mary  E.  Aiken 
Cornelia  Drake 
Clarissa  Williams 
Mary  Horlon 
George  E,  Mapes 
Thomas  T    Mapes. 
Sarah  J.  Mapes 
Louisa  An  irews 


-359 


William  Andrews 
Mary  Hartwell 

1859. 

Christina  McMunn 

Harriet  E.  Newcome 

Isaac  Sergeant 

James  G.  Sergeant 

Rachel  Brown 

Augusta  Collard  (Chapman) 

Elizabeth  Mapes  [Mattison] 

Henry  Collard 

Jessie  Halstead 

Charles  M.  Smith 

James  H.  Collard 

Sally  M.  Collard 

Marietta  West  [Eldred]  [Hoatson] 

Esther  J.  Ingersol 

Eliza  M.  Ingersol 

Andrew  Crawford 

1861 
Melvina  Clark 

1863 

Sarah  M.  West  [Hausbrook]  1—361 

1864 

Susannah  Knight 

Jane  West 

1865 

Jane  Gillespie 
James  Gillespie 
Jane  Morrison 

1866 
Mary  A.  Ruddick 
Esther  White 
Jane  Ann  Myers 
Eliza  Cole  [Heyen] 
Henrietta  Weidley 
Ida  Heyen,  (Toaspern) 
Ebben  DeWolf 
Lucy  Barber 
Ophelia  Carpenter 
Calvin  F.  Kyte 

1867 

Robert  McAndrew 
Samuel      ells 
Harriet  Clark 
John  Gillespie 


1—360 


2—363 


3—366 


10—376 


4—380 


21 


1868 

James  Ruddick 

Elizabeth  T.  Kyte 

S.  B.  Leavenworth 

Charlotte  Leavenworth 

Emma  Austin 

Robert  Morrison 

John  Martin  7—387 

1.S69 
Emma  Bolton,  (Ely) 
Caroline  A.  Auerswald 
Julia  C.  Wilson  [Kyte] 
Frederick  Regina  Metzger 
Gottlieb  Metzger  5—392 

1870 
Justin  S.  Cacks 
Daniel  Picken 
Mrs.  Danisl  Pickin  3—395 

1874 
Frank  l.  Newcome 
Annie  E.  Wilson  [Abendroth] 
Sarah  J.  Eldred  [Wait] 
Wm.  H.  Whitney 
Mary  A.  Whitney 
Eugenie  A.  Whitney 
M.  Alice  Whitney  [Kyte] 
John  O.  Whitney 
Sherman  S.  Leavenworth 
Young  Kilpatrick 
Ella  Clark 
Mary  Mills  [Wait] 
Lottie  Myers  [Darling] 
Elizabeth  Owen,  (Thompson) 
William  J.  Wait 
John  Glines 
Edward  F.  Wilson 
Sarah  L.  Wilson  18 — 413 

1876 

Mrs.  D.  A.  Whitman 

Margaret  Covert 

Margaret  MacKenzie  [Telfer] 

essie  Kidd 
Mary  McAndrew  5 — 418 


1877 

John  Ozier  1—419 

1879 

Augustus  Ozier. 

John  S.  Van  Norsdall 

William  L.  Payne 

Mary  C  Payne 

Clara  Clark,  (Sergeant) 

Charles  Hickok 

Margaret  Ann  Gillespie 

Agnes  J.  Gillespie  [Wilson]    ] 

Samuel  R.  Davis 

Anna  Davis 

Louisa  Grace  Markle 

Annice  Owen  12 — 431 

1880 

Henrietta  J.  Crawford 

Victoria  De  Silva  2—433 

Robert  Telfer 

Marjorie  MacKenzie  (Goldsmith) 

Elizabeth  J.  MacKenzie,  (Gay) 

Donald  MacKenzie 

Rev.  E  W  Fishsr 

Laura  Fisher 

Christina  Mills  [Wilson]     7—  440 

188'^ 
William  B  Ruddick 
Maggie  Ann  Ruddick 
Emma  E  Ruddick 
Aida  A  Austin 
Janette  Y  Morgan 
Annabella  McDonald 
Mary  Adelaide  Wilson  [Hull)    7-447 

1883 

Emma  Prange 

James  Macintosh 

Hannah  Macintosh 

Lewis  Ross 

Isabella  Ross 

Agnes  J  Ruddick 

Anna  A  Prange 

John  E.  Ferine 

Mary  J  Ferine 

Julia  M  Johnston  10 — 457 


2(2' 


1884 

Charles  E  Mapes 

i88e 
Rev  H  P  Hamilton 
S  A  Hamilton 


1-458 


2-468 


1887 

James  Eldred,  Jr 

Frank  R  Sergeant 

James  W  Sergeant 

Geo  W  Hamilton 

John  W  Hamilton 

Ella  G  Hamihon 

Elizabeth  Hoatson  [Clark]  [Wilson] 

Mary  D  Hoatson 

Elizabeth  Hardcastle  [Eldred] 

Alma  L  Kelly 

Emma  Myers 

Anna  Maier 

Charles  C  R  Metzger  '      13    473 

1888 

Libbie  Sergeant  1-    474 

1883 
Alonzo  A  Austin 
Henry  Ladore  Austin 
Martha  J  Hulse 
Geo  McC  Clark 
Annie  A  MacKenzie  (McCord) 
Charlotte  E  Maney 
Lizzie  M  Gillespie  (Mills) 
Sarah  M  Gillespie  8-482 

1890 
William  Ruddick 
Lillie  Ruddick 
Herbert  L  Eldred 
Lewis  Goldsmith 
George  MacKenzie 
Sarah  E  Wormouth 
William  H  Austin 
Rev  E  A  Smith 
Mary  E  Smith 
Emily  Smith 
Mary  A  Steele  11-493 


1891 

Alice  E  Steele 
John  Bradley 
Helen  Doolitile 
Belle  A  Ruddick 
Mrs  Stewart 


5     498 


1891 

Char  las  W  Wilson 

Samuel  D  Hoatson  2     500 

1893; 

Henry  Smith 

Ida  C  Smith 

Charles  C  Racine 

George  Stewaxt 

Addie  W  Parker 

S  Lulu  Myers 

Sadie  De  Silva 

Mary  A  Kyte 

Eliza  C.  Eldred 

Elizabeth  Starritt  10     510 

1894 

Mary  Stewart 

Geo  M  Rees 

Maggie  Rees 

George  Beck 

Alexina  Wilson 

Maggie  Woods: 

Fannie  L  Steele 

Myra  Steele 

Elva  Steele 

Floyd  McKechnie  10     520 

1895 

Mary  Turner 

Ida  Dailey 

Violetta  Van  Gordon 

Lulu  Beck  4—524 

189<> 

Joel  F  Whitney 

Louisa  M  Whitney 

Edward  F  Whitney 

Mary  Etta  Whitney 

Herbert  W  Kyte  ^^-529 

1897 

Letty  Justina  Sergeant         1—530 


23 


1799  —  AUGUST  U  —  1899. 

By  M  iss  Florence  Grace  Beck  of  Eldred. 

Our  Church  !     A  thousand  loving  memories 

Some  sweet — some  bitter — but  all  tender,  cling 
About  thy  modest  image  in  our  hearts. 

A  simple  church,  yet  still  our  praise  we  bring  ; 
Just  "  two  or  three,"  but  "gathered  in  His  name," 

Striving  to  find  the  right  through  good  or  ill, 
And,  finding^  it,  to  do  it  with  our  might, 

Knowing  it  is  His  will. 

A  century  has  faded  since  thy  birth, 

Sunshine  aiid  shadow,  mists  and  hopes  and  fears^- 
Doubtings,  and  glorious  triumphs  of  thy  faith 

Have  marked  the  passing  of  those  hundred  years. 
Since  that  bright  day  when  dauntless  energy 

And  mighty  faith  inspired  that  little  band- 
Just  thirteen  "  friends  to  Jesus  "—to  unite, 

How  rich  the  blessings  scattered  bj'  His  hand. 

How  bitter,  too,  the  sorrows  He  has  sent, 

No  less  in  blessing,  tho'  in  dark  disguise. 
Only  those  loved  disciples  who  have  known 

His  chastening  can  tell.    Today  our  eyes 
Grow  moist  in  sympathy  and  loving  pride, 

As,  through  the  mist  of  years,  we  call  to  mind 
The  story  of  that  small  devoted  band. 

No  church  had  they  nor  hall, of  any  kind, 

Only  a  simple  room,  prayer-sanctified. 

Now  here — now  there- — as  in  the  olden  days, 
The  Master's  presence  made  the  humblest  homes 

Temples  of  prayer  and  praise. 
Though  now  this  church,  for  three-score  years    and   fourj 

Guarding  our  little  "  village  of  the  hills," 
Has  sent  her  sweet-voiced  invitation  forth, 

Calling  to  worship  "  whosoever  wills  " 

And  steadily  the  faithful  number  grew — 

Ten,  twenty  miles  they  came  to  hear  the  Word, 
And  in  communion  to  confess  that  Name 

Whose  reverent  praise  the  listening   forest  heard  ; 
The  forest — for  within  that  giant  heart 

Of  murmurous  worship,  they  had  made  their  home, 
And  when  its  yielded  treasures  all  were  given, 

Still  nobler  growths  then  tempted  them  to  roam 


M 


Farther  and  farther,  but  they  bore  with  them 

The  tabernacle  of  their  faith.     Lono;  years 
Houseless  and  shepherdless  the  church  lived  on, 

Steadily  gaining;  strength,  despite  the  fears 
And  difficulties  of  the  place  and  time. 

HousAess,  not  //^wdess.     In  such  loyal  hearts 
The  truest  sanctuary  of  our  God 

Is  found  ;:  and  He  who  strength  imparts 

For  every  need,  Himself  their  guide  and  friendl 

Surely  'twere  idle  to  repeat  those  names 
(Many  of  them  are  known  and  honored  still 

Among  us)  which  to  day  our  mterest  claim 
You  know  them  all  :  and  better  far  you  know 

Their  histories  than  tongue  of  mine  can  tell. 
We  need  no  words  to  wake  in  loving  hearts 

The  memory  of  that  good  old  man  who  fell 

So  peacefully  "on  sleep"  that  summer  eve. 

His  ministration  ended — among  men — 
He  found  the  threshold  of  the  church  he  served: 

The  portal  of  the  New  Jerusalem  ! 
All  honor  to  his  memory  !     All  praise 

To  those  who  came  before  him  and  to  those 
Who,  as  the  years  sped  on^  from  time  to  time, 

Have  spent  a  season  with  us  :  some  to  close 

Their  life-work  here  among  our  pine-sweet  hills  : 

Some  to  begin  it  :  others  in  their  prime 
Of  man's  ambitious  strength,  to  seek  the  fields 

Of  wider  labor  in  a  little  time. 
All  honor  and  all  praise  !     But  not  to  these 

The  warmest  tribute  of  our  hearts  today, 
Is  given,  but  to  those  true  hearted  ones 

Who  dared  so  much  in  their  own  steadfast  way. 

With  zeal  unfailing,  and  with  earnest  faith 
They  faced  discouragements  we  cannot  know. 

And  rose  above  them,  grandly  triumphing. 
The  heroes  of  our  Church's  long;  ago  ! 


25 


CENTENNIAL  HYMN.  * 

For  the  Congregational  Church,  Eldred,  N.  Y. — By    Miss 

Charlotte  Chambers  Hall  of  New  York  City. 

1799 — August  ii — 1899. 

PSALM  115  :  1.  TUNE,  DUKE  STREET. 

Not  unto  us^  but  to  Thy  name — 

Not  unto  us,  the  glory  be  ! 
Thy  mercy  to  our  fathers  came, 

We  worship  and  we  praise  but  Thee, 

Before  Thy  holy  throne  we  bow, 

Forgive  our  sins  for  Thy  name^s  sake, 

Reveal  Thyself  unto  us  now 

O  Lord,  this  church,  Thy  dwelling  make. 

Through  these  one  hundred  years  of  grace, 
Thou,  Lord,  has  been  the  help,  the  shield  : 

In  forest-homes  Thy  church  had  place, 

By  forest-streams  Thy  word  was  sealed. 

Our  fathers  put  their  trust  in  Thee, 

Thy  grace  sustained  them  to  the  end. 

Let  us  re-consecrated  be. 

That  Thou,  Thy  blessing  mayest  send. 

Baptise  with  Pentecostal  2eal 

Thy  waiting  people  in  this  place  : 

With  seeking:  souls  in  mercy  deal. 

That  many  here  may  find  Thy  grace. 

With  all  below  who  love  Thy  name — 
With  saints  above,  the  radiant  host, 

One  Ebenezer-song  we  frame, 

Praise  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost. 

*II)edicated  to  Mrs.  Eliza  Gardner,   Barryville.    Sullivan    County,    N.    " 
widow  of  Judge  James  K.  Gardner  and  daughter  of  Hon.  James  Eldred. 


26 


.V.  JOEL  FiSK  WlliTXEY. 


^7 


Centennial  Services. 


At  two  o'clock,  Friday,  the  church  bell  rang  out  its  joyous 
welcome  to  the  Centennial  Services.  Within  the  Church, 
•over  the  pulpit,  the  organ  and  the  walls,  the  wild  clematis, 
with  full  clusters  of  flowers  and  graceful  foliage,  was  artistic- 
ally draped,  while  evergreens  wreathed  the  three  mottoes. 

Old  comrades  and  kindred,  long  separated,  joined  in 
singing  the  Centennial  Hymn  of  Praise.  Rev.  S.  O.  Rusby 
■of  the  M.  E  Church,  led  the  devotional  exercises  and  words 
of  welcome  were  spoken  by  the  pastor. 

At  the  children's  hour,  passages  of  Scripture  were  repeated 
relative  to  the  Church,  bv  the  following  boys  and  girls. 
Arthur  Wilson.  Alfred  Hutchings,  Wesley  Morgan,  Georgie 
Clark,  Julia  Wilson,  Mabel  Turner,  Lena  Dailey  and  Minnie 
Sergeant.  The  last  one  named  is  a  descendant  of  Rev.  Isaac 
-Sergeant.  Her  father.  Deacon  Isaac  Sergeant,  has  been 
Sunday  School  Superintendent  for  more  than  30  years.  There 
were  many  other  descendants  of  those  pioneers  present. 

Miss  C.  C.  Hall  spoke  of  the  motto,  telling  them  how  to 
glorify  God,  Felix  J.  S.  Kyte  told  of  his  boyhood  recollec- 
tions. He  told  of  his  coming,  when  three  years  old,  in  1832, 
on  the  canal,  of  his  brother  Thomas'  learning  to  call  out  the 
warning  to  those  standing,  '  B'idge  ahead."  His  account  of 
the  beginnings  was  listened  to  with  interest 

Mr.  Jacob  Stage,  now  q6  years  old,  was  present.  He  re- 
members having  seen  Deacon  Ichabod  Carmichael,  one  of  the 
first  members. 

Stephen  St.  John  Gardner  spoke  for  his  mother,  now  84 
years  young.  "  If  I  were  3Q'years  younger  I  would  walk 
up  to  Eldred,  even  in  a  storm,  if  I  mignt  seethe  same  spirit  of 
love  there  now  that  I  saw  in  those  early  days." 

Mr.  Gardner  spoke  feelingly  of  his  remembrance  of  those 
who  used  to  worship  here,  picturing  them  as  they  sat  so  that 
we  could  almost  see  them  again  as  they  listened  to  the  word, 
sang  God's  praise  and  studied  the  Bible. 

Deacon  Edward  Wilson,  in  his  gentle  way,  told  the  chil- 
dren, "  I  was  17  years  old  when  I  first  went  to  Sunday  School 
and  learned  that  verse  "  God  so  Loved  the  World,"  etc. 

Rev.  Joseph  Kyte  told  how  the  people  treated  the  minis- 
ter's family.  He  remembered  going  to  Mr.  Covert's,  at  Glen 
Spey,  where  they  were  feasted  on  what  the)^_  supposed  to  be 
"  roast  beef,"  but  found  it  was  "  bear  meat." 

Rev.  A.  E.  Austin  spoke  of  his  efforts  to  teach  the  little 
Indians  of  Alaska  of  the  love  of  Jesus. 


After  a  brief  intermission  spent  in  looking  at  pictures  of 
those  who  used  to  be  here,  the  audience  listened  with  interest 
to  further  reminiscences  of  the  years  gone  by,,  telling  of  the 
trials  of  those  who  were  the  pioneers. 

At  the  evening  services  letters  were  read  from  some  of  the 
former  pastors  and  others,  regretting  their  inability  to  be 
present  and  bidding  us  God  speed  in  the  work. 

Miss  Beck  recited  the  poem  "  Our  Church."  A  historical 
sketch  was  read  by  the  pastor.  Others  who  had  spoken  be- 
fore paid  further  tribute  to  those  fathers  and  mothers  of  long 
ago.  The  closing  hymn,  "  Blest  be  the  Tie  that  Binds  "  was. 
sung  and  the  audience  dismissed  with  the  benediction. 

Rev.  Joseph  Kyte  preached  on  the  Sabbath.  His  text  was. 
Eph.  5  :  25-27,  "  Christ  loved  the  Church  and  gave  himself 
for  it.  *  *  *  *  *  that  he  might  present  it  to  him- 
self, a  glorious  church,  not  having  spot  or  wrinkle,  or  any 
such  thing,  but  that  it  should  be  holy  and  without  blemish. 
His  sermon  was  a  pointing  to  incidents  in  the  history  of  this 
church,  which  "  makes  links  in  the  chain  of  God's  kindness, 
or  threads  in  the  weaving  of  His  loving  care." 

He  gave  this  tribute  :  "  So  far  back  as  I  can  remember  this 
band  of  believers,  I  am  proud  to  say,  I  never  have  known 
more  devout  and  faithful  Christians  than  they."  He  closed 
with  these  words  from  I  Kings,  8 ;  57,  58,  "  God  be  with 
us,  as  He  was  with  our  fathers.  Let  Him  not  leave  us  nor 
forsake  us,  that  He  may  incline  our  hearts  unto  Him  to  walk 
in  His  ways  and  to  keep  His  commandments, and  His  statutes 
and  His  judgments." 

After  the  close  of  the  regular  service  the  most  tender,  lov- 
ing and  helpful  service  of  all  was  held.  All  felt  the  thrill 
of  the  spiritual  uplift.  New  resolves  were  made,  faith  was 
strengthened  and  all  felt    "  It  was  good  to  be  there.  " 


The  present  pastor  is  a  native  of  Wadhams  Mills,  N.  Y.  He  was  ordained 
in  1871,  going  the  same  year  to  Micronesia  as  a  foreign  missionary,  and  re- 
turned to  this  country  in  1881.  Since  that  time  he  has  held  pastorates  at 
various  places  in  New  York  and  Vermont,  and  came  here  in  1896.  As  many 
of  the  speakers  have  said,  so  I  would  say  :  "All!  have  been  able  to  become 
and  accomplish  I  owe  under  God,  to  my  motheo.  who  consecrated  me  in  in- 
fancy to  this  work  of  the  Lord." 


